My 17 year old daughter was recently caught shoplifting at…

Shoplifting is charged as either petit or grand theft under Florida Statute 812.014 (see below), depending on the amount. If the value of the alleged stolen merchandise is less than $100 in value, the defendant is charged with petit theft in the second degree, a second degree misdemeanor. If the value of the merchandise is between $100 and $300, the defendant is charged with petit theft in the first degree, a first degree misdemeanor . If the alleged amount is greater than $300 but less than $5,000, then the appropriate charge is grand theft in the third degree, a third degree felony. The maximum punishment for each offense, if convicted, is show below:

Petit Theft in the Second Degree (less than $100) - punishable by a maximum of 60 days in jail.

Petit Theft in the First Degree (Less than $300 but more than $100) - punishable by a maximum of 364 days in the county jail.

Grand Theft in the Third Degree (More than $300 but less than $5,000) - punishable by a maximum of 5 years in state prison.

Assuming it is a Petit Theft as a first offense it is very possible she will receive either a noncriminal resolution to the case and/or probation instead of jail time on this matter.

I suggest that you either retain an attorney to represent her or ask the judge to appoint one to represent her if it goes to court.